Iran's president: If we enter into a pact, we will stand by it honorably

Tehran - BORNA - Speaking Sunday at a ceremony evaluating the performance of parliamentary affairs deputies across government bodies, Pezeshkian said that while Iran does not want war or conflict and considers it harmful not only to its own people but to the world, it will under no circumstances back down in the face of force and coercion.

He said: "Based on religious teachings, a peace the enemy invites you to should not be rejected, because security and peace lie within it. But one must not be unaware of the enemy's deception and trickery, because peace may be a tool for striking a blow. We will therefore proceed along this path with wisdom and prudence. We hold no illusions whatsoever about the enemy, and at the same time, if we enter into a pact, we will stand by that pact honorably."

Saying his aim and concern is to secure a bright future for the country's young people, Pezeshkian added: "If we do not consider the people's interests, that is a form of self-regard. The Iranian people must live with the dignity and honor befitting Muslims. We will therefore welcome any dialogue that leads to lasting peace and security, and on this path we need empathy and a common voice."

Earlier in his remarks, Pezeshkian stressed that resolving people's problems and attending to the future of the country's youth must be the priority. "I must solve people's problems. I must look to the future of our young people and our nation," he said. "The reality is that we must find a path for our people to reach dignity, honor and strength — and the only way to achieve that is through unity and cohesion."

The president said preserving the dignity and respect of those who approach government offices is essential, adding that even when a request cannot be legally fulfilled, officials must respond respectfully and without sarcasm or condescension.

Advising parliamentary affairs deputies to cooperate with oversight bodies, Pezeshkian said some lawmakers and supervisory institutions may, as part of their legal duties, seek to investigate the performance of various government departments, and urged full cooperation and coordination in such cases.

Describing unity and cohesion as the guarantee of the country's strength and stability under current sensitive circumstances, Pezeshkian said: "Strengthening unity and cohesion comes through serving the people. As Muslims, if we are genuinely concerned, we will find a way out of our problems and address the condition of society. But the point is that we must move away from raising matters that are not even secondary, and not allow them to replace fundamental issues."

Stressing that a Muslim's duty is to care for others, he said: "On the path of serving society, improving people's livelihoods and changing their standard of living, we will prepare the ground and carry out what is our responsibility. We believe one of the reasons for public dissatisfaction is neglect of the people, and if we have a goal and a solution for overcoming society's problems, the ground for dissatisfaction will never take shape."

Emphasizing the need to avoid unrealistic promises, Pezeshkian said: "At the same time, we must not make promises to people that we cannot keep. Given the existing problems and shortcomings, it is the greatest sin for us as Muslims to make a promise and then take no steps to fulfill our commitments. The budgeting and credit allocation system must be proportionate to resources and expenditures. Creating expectations in society without a defined budget line and financial backing is wrong. We must be accountable to the people, and if we have made a commitment, we must act on it."

Noting that laws cannot be written without enforcement guarantees, the president said: "Sometimes, in the name of religion, we focus on matters that are not fundamental, while we could, based on the teachings of the Quran, be supporters of the deprived, the poor, orphans and the needy. As officials responsible for running the country, we must not pass indifferently by social harms and by those who are vulnerable. Making grand promises and outwardly advancing claims we have no capacity to act on is displeasing to God. Within the government and the state, we must not pass indifferently by social issues and matters the Quran has addressed, and still claim to be Muslims."

Referring to the responsibility of rulers toward society based on religious teachings, he continued: "We bear a great responsibility before society and toward solving existing problems, and we are being tested before God at every moment. Let us be determined not to create unrealistic expectations, and on the other hand to strengthen coordination and synergy within and between sectors. Let us allocate the budget purposefully and precisely in areas that are priorities."

Pezeshkian described avoiding factional and partisan disputes as a prerequisite for serving society, saying: "We are all obliged to help one another and to stay away from disagreement and conflict, because the root of many problems lies in ego. We must accept sound advice from wise people, because if ego prevails, we will not grasp what is right."

Stressing that the country holds considerable capacities that, if matched with cooperation and empathy, could overcome all its problems, the president cited reforming consumption patterns and reducing energy use among them. "All government bodies must manage energy consumption in a way that spares us from having to cut electricity or gas to industry," he said. "Institutionalizing a proper culture of energy consumption is among the government's strategic goals in managing the country. To bring about behavioral change, I will lead by example — I have ordered that heating, cooling and electricity be switched off in unused rooms at my own workplace. Each of us must take a step toward reforming and reducing our consumption."

At the start of the ceremony, the president also honored the memory of the Islamic Revolution's martyred Leader, saying: "The place of the beloved Leader of the Islamic Revolution will remain empty forever. He was a great supporter of the government, and whenever coordination was needed on any matter, he smoothed the path. He was martyred at the hands of the most wicked of people. We ask Almighty God that our own deaths, too, come through martyrdom."

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